At about 0835hrs, the MPA's Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) received a report from a Singapore-registered passenger ferry "Kingfisher" that smoke was emitting from one of its engines. Upon detection of the smoke, the master of the ferry immediately stopped the ferry's engines. At 0900hrs, the master reported that no more smoke was emitting from the engine.

Upon notification of the incident, the MPA's Enforcement section responded by deploying three patrol craft to the site to assist in the transfer of the passengers as a precautionary measure. The "Kingfisher" was then anchored away from the main shipping traffic at the Eastern Working Anchorage.

All passengers were safely transferred to another ferry "Penguin Excellence". There were no reports of injury to the 32 passengers and 11 crew on-board.

The "Kingfisher", of 722 gross tonnage, was departing from the Regional Ferry terminal of the World Trade Centre (WTC) and bound for Sekupang, Batam when the incident occurred.

The agent, Penguin Ferry Services Pte Ltd, has made the necessary transfer arrangements for the passengers to Batam.

The MPA is investigating the incident.

End of release.